Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Exam
- Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2]
- Subject
- Physics
- Chapter
- Capacitors
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 2] · Physics · Capacitors
A capacitor of capacitance 5.00 is charged to 24.0 V , while a...
A capacitor of capacitance is charged to , while a second capacitor of capacitance is charged to . The positive plate of the first capacitor is subsequently connected to the negative plate of the second, and vice versa. During this process, there is a loss of electrostatic energy. What happens to this lost energy?
Options
- AIt is permanently stored as magnetic field energy in the circuit.
- BIt is dissipated as heat in the connecting wires.
- CIt is converted into the mechanical kinetic energy of the capacitors.
- DIt is destroyed due to the non-conservation of charge.
Correct answer
B. It is dissipated as heat in the connecting wires.
Step-by-step solution
When two charged capacitors are connected, charge redistributes between them until they reach a common potential.
During this redistribution, a transient current flows through the connecting wires. Since the wires have some finite electrical resistance, a portion of the electrical energy is dissipated as heat due to Joule heating.
Therefore, the lost electrostatic energy is dissipated as heat in the connecting wires.
During this redistribution, a transient current flows through the connecting wires. Since the wires have some finite electrical resistance, a portion of the electrical energy is dissipated as heat due to Joule heating.
Therefore, the lost electrostatic energy is dissipated as heat in the connecting wires.